AMN
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly inaugurated the first Indian consulate in the historic French city of Marseille this afternoon. Earlier in the day, the two leaders interacted with the members of the Indian diaspora in the city. They also paid tribute to Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the First and Second World Wars at the Mazargues War Cemetery.
The cemetery, administered by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, is the resting place of over 1,700 soldiers. An Indian memorial was first unveiled here in 1925 to honour their service. Mr. Modi, along with the French president, reached Marseille this morning after concluding a series of high-level engagements in Paris. The Indian community in Marseille gave them a warm and enthusiastic welcome on their arrival.
The two leaders will also tour the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, a major global initiative that includes India and France. The project aims to harness nuclear energy for sustainable development, highlighting India’s commitment to clean energy. During his visit, Prime Minister Modi is expected to visit the Port of Marseille, France’s largest and the third-biggest port in the Mediterranean. It is a key gateway for trade between Europe, Africa, West Asia, and East Asia.
After wrapping up his visit in France, Prime Minister Modi will depart for a two-day visit to the United States later in the day at the invitation of President Donald Trump.